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Introduction: Chronic stress is a condition characterized by prolonged stimulation, leading to mental and physical weakness. It can have detrimental effects on individuals' mental health and cognitive function, potentially causing various health issues. This article explores the potential of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques, specifically transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), in managing chronic stress and improving sleep quality. Methods: The study conducted a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial with participants experiencing chronic stress. In total, 100 participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: the anodal tDCS group (n = 50), the sham tDCS group (n = 50), the taVNS group (n = 50), or the sham taVNS group (n = 50). Within each condition, participants received five sessions of either active treatment or sham treatment, with 20 min of tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (2 mA) for the tDCS groups, or taVNS on the left ear (20 Hz) for the taVNS groups. At baseline, post-intervention, and 4 weeks thereafter, we evaluated stress using the Lipp's Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults (LSSI), perceived stress through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and sleep quality via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: The tDCS and taVNS interventions resulted in reduced stress levels, improved sleep quality, and enhanced perception of stress. Discussion: These findings suggest that tDCS and taVNS hold promise as effective treatments for chronic stress, offering a safe and accessible approach to improving individuals' wellbeing and overall quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The associations of suicidality with stress are poorly studied in schizophrenia. The study aimed to determine whether suicidality was correlated with perceived chronic stress and the cortisol fluctuations under stress tasks in schizophrenia. High suicidality was defined as a lifetime history of suicide attempts or suicidal ideation in the past 2 weeks. Individuals with schizophrenia and high suicidality (SZ‐HS, n = 59), with low suicidality (SZ‐LS, n = 207), and healthy controls (HC, n = 196) finished the Perceived Stress Scale. Then, they participated in an experiment that induced stress using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task and the Mirror Tracing Persistence Task. Negative affect was measured at baseline and after finishing each task. The salivary cortisol was collected before‐, after 20 min, and after 40 min of the tasks. SZ‐HS had elevated perceived stress than SZ‐LS and HC. Mixed effect models showed that stress tasks induced cortisol changes in all groups; cortisol of SZ‐LS was reduced more than HC, but SZ‐HS and SZ‐LS did not differ in cortisol fluctuations. SZ‐HS and SZ‐LS experienced similar negative affect changes during tasks and the difference in withdrawal rates was nonsignificant. SZ‐HS had an increased error rate than SZ‐LS. In conclusion, suicidality was correlated with high‐level perceived stress but did not result in differences in cortisol reactivities under stress tasks. It suggests the inconsistency between appraisal of stress and biological stress system disturbance among SZ‐HS compared to SZ‐LS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gynecological cancer patients face various stressors and suffer from severe psychological distress. The activation of family resilience supports patients to overcome daily stressors, yet the relationship between family resilience and psychological distress is poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to investigate the degree of psychological distress in patients diagnosed with gynecological cancer, and whether perceived stress mediate the relationship between family resilience and psychological distress. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken on 358 gynecological cancer patients in China from September 2021 to November 2022. The participants completed surveys that included the Chinese Version of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Distress Management Screening Measure, and socio-demographic questions. Using Pearson's correlation analysis to investigate the association between variables, and the bias corrected bootstrapping method was utilized to establish perceived stress as a mediator. Results: Chinese patients with gynecological cancer experienced a moderate psychological distress. In addition, psychological distress exhibited a negative correlation with family resilience and a positive correlation with perceived stress in gynecological cancer patients (both P < 0.01). Perceived stress partially mediated the correlation between family resilience and psychological distress (β=-0.182; 95% CI: -0.224 to -0.140; P < 0.001). The total indirect effect value was − 0.182, and the total effect value was − 3.060. Conclusions: The findings indicate that higher family resilience and lower perceived stress can reduce psychological distress in gynecological cancer patients, and family resilience also tends to reduce perceived stress in cancer patients. Clinical staff and psychologist should consciously cultivate patients' family resilience to reduce psychological distress. Meanwhile, identifying potential mediators between family resilience and psychological distress are able to promote the development and assessment of interventions in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global stress is widespread in today's post-pandemic world of political and economic uncertainty. Vibroacoustic technology is a vibrotactile intervention with multiple uses, but its impact on stress lacks interpretation. This research assessed if the vibroacoustic technology of a Vibroacoustic Sound Massage (VSM) can reduce psychological, physiological, and cognitive stress. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and electrocardiogram (ECG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) biosignals were used to quantify results. Participants were divided into Low-Stress and High-Stress groups. The ECG results show VSM increased parasympathetic activity for all participants, with the Low-Stress group being more affected. The EEG results indicate increased concentration, reduced arousal, and increased relaxation, with participant well-being non-significantly affected, though variability in this metric was homogenised after VSM. Together, these results validate VSM as an effective support tool for stress management; however, further research is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Perceived stress and depression were indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in square-cabin hospitals. It was paramount to understand their mediating effects, which might detonate factors that led to mental illness. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate perceived stress and depressive symptoms among patients with COVID-19 in Shanghai square-cabin hospitals from April 18 to May 19, 2022. The questionnaire included the Perceived Stress Scale 10, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10. Results: This study investigated the chain-mediating roles of perceived social support and resilience in the relationship between perceived stress and depression. Perceived stress positively predicted depression (r = 0.613, p < 0.01), negatively correlated with perceived social support (r = -0.318, p < 0.01) and resilience (r = -0.398, p < 0.01). In the chain mediating model, perceived stress had significant direct predictive effects on depression, and significant indirect predictive effects on depression through perceived social support and/or resilience. Conclusion: It showed that higher perceived social support and resilience were associated with lower perceived stress among COVID-19 patients, which might lead to symptoms of mild depression, and highlights the importance of resilience and perceived social support in reducing depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Perceived Stress has been shown as a key contributor to sleep quality, but the underlying mechanism between perceived stress and sleep quality remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the impact of perceived stress on sleep quality of college students and the chain mediating roles of presence of meaning in life (PML) and depression, as well as the moderating role of search for meaning in life (SML). Methods: Participants were 8178 college students (4599 boys and 3579 girls; Mage = 19.10 years, SD = 1.08) who completed self-report questionnaire, including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Results: The results showed that higher perceived stress was directly related to poorer sleep quality. This negative impact on sleep quality was mediated through the chained roles of PML and depression. Additionally, the study found that SML moderates the influence of perceived stress, PML and depression on sleep quality. Specifically, for individuals actively search for meaning, the adverse effects of perceived stress and depression on sleep quality are diminished. Concurrently, the positive influence of PML on sleep quality is enhanced. Conclusion: This study revealed that the PML and depression mediate the effect of perceived stress on sleep quality, with SML playing a significant protective role. These results emphasize the necessity of integrating strategies to enhance PML and SML into interventions designed to improve emotion management and sleep quality among college students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Telomere length (TL) shortening is associated with increased cellular senescence and functional decline with age. Regular physical activity is posited to safeguard against TL shortening, but there is disagreement on how concurrent psychosocial stress may influence this relationship. The current analysis explored whether psychosocial stress is associated with TL differences in highly physically active individuals. Methods: TL was measured from capillary dried blood spots collected from Division‐I (D‐1) and Division‐III (D‐3) National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) swimmers (N = 28) and non‐athlete students from the same schools (N = 15). All participants completed Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and student‐athletes completed an additional questionnaire to assess psychosocial factors associated with their lifestyle; The Student Athletes' Motivation towards Sports and Academics Questionnaire (SAMSAQ). Semi‐structured interviews further contextualized how student‐athletes internalize their stress. Results: There was no significant difference in TL or PSS scores between swimmers and controls. D‐1 swimmers reported significantly higher career and student‐athlete motivation scores compared to D‐3, but non‐significantly higher PSS and similar academic motivation scores. Themes from interviews with collegiate swimmers included COVID‐19 stress, fear of injury, pressure from academics, expectations to perform, and financial pressures. Conclusions: These themes may have contributed to higher PSS scores in D‐1 swimmers compared to D‐3 but did not appear to impact their TL. Given differences in perceived stress, sources of stress, and SAMSAQ scores, further analyses with larger sample sizes are needed to better understand how these factors influence human biology and health while engaged in intense physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Medical students have been shown to report high levels of perceived stress. Perceived stress leads to a loss of empathy and negatively affects attitudes and behaviours towards patients. This study aimed to investigate the perceived stress levels and empathy skills of medical students and their relationship with their attitudes to mental illness. Material and Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in Türkiye between March 2024 and April 2024 using an online survey. A total of 544 medical students attending university in the academic year 2023-2024 completed the questionnaire, which included the sociodemographic data form, the perceived medical school stress scale, the empathy scale, and the beliefs towards mental illness scale. Participants were asked whether they had received psychiatry training, whether they had been diagnosed with a mental illness, and whether they would disclose if they were diagnosed with a mental illness. Results By gender, the mean Perceived Medical School Stress Scale score of females was statistically significantly higher than that of males (p=0.035). Perceived Medical School Stress Scale scores did not differ by training year, whereas Beliefs Towards Mental Illness Scale Weak Social and Interpersonal Skills sub-dimension scores did (p=0.643; and p=0.027, respectively). The Empathy Scale score of students who received psychiatry training was statistically significantly higher than that of students who did not receive a placement (p=0.003). A low significant negative correlation was found between the Perceived Medical School Stress and Empathy Scale scores (rho=-0.098; p=0.005). Conclusion In our study, the perceived stress of medical students during their training differs according to gender, and its relationship with empathy skills is demonstrated. Individualised interventions to prevent and alleviate stress should be developed for students who need support coping with difficulties during their training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal psychological distress during pregnancy is associated with infant temperament. Whether associations persist into late childhood, whether maternal distress is associated with temperament change from infancy to late childhood, whether associations are independent of maternal concurrent distress, and whether maternal distress has sensitive exposure periods on child temperament remain unclear. Methods: Our study includes mother‐child dyads from Finnish, prospective Prediction and Prevention of Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction study. The mothers completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, State Anxiety Inventory and Perceived Stress Scale: biweekly up to 14 times during pregnancy; once in infancy (at child age 4–12 months); and once in late childhood (at child age 7–11 years). They also completed the Infant Behavior Questionnaire Revised at the infancy (n = 2538) and Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire at the late childhood (n = 2004; 1693 children had data at both follow‐ups) follow‐up on child negative affectivity, extraversion and effortful control. We examined the associations of maternal distress with child temperament with linear regression, linear mixed and Bayesian relevant lifecourse exposure models. Results: Maternal distress during pregnancy was associated with higher negative affectivity and lower effortful control in children in infancy and late childhood. Maternal distress during pregnancy was also associated with increases in negative affectivity, decreases in effortful Control, and smaller decreases in extraversion from infancy to late childhood. The associations with late childhood temperament and temperament change were independent of maternal concurrent distress. Late childhood was a sensitive period for lifetime‐to‐date effects of maternal distress on late childhood negative affectivity and effortful control. Distress during pregnancy and infancy had smaller contributions. Conclusions: Maternal psychological distress during pregnancy is associated with individual differences and change in child temperament from infancy to late childhood. However, distress during pregnancy has a smaller effect on late childhood temperament than maternal concurrent distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate whether yoga practice and physical activity level play an essential role in trait mindfulness and perceived stress reduction. Moreover, the study examined the differences in trait mindfulness and perceived stress between women who practiced yoga and those who engaged in other physical activities or were physically inactive, taking into account the time spent on physical activity in accordance with the World Health Organization recommendations. (2) Methods: A sample of 201 women participated in a cross-sectional online-based study, including 96 yoga practitioners and 105 non-practitioners of yoga (including physically active and inactive individuals). The average age of the participants was 36 years (range, 18–72 years; M = 36.19, SD = 11.64). Respondents completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). (3) Results: Women who practiced yoga and were physically active had a significantly higher level of trait mindfulness and lower perceived stress levels than women who did not practice yoga and were physically inactive. An indirect effect of physical activity on perceived stress through mindfulness was shown only for women practicing yoga for at least 150 min per week. (4) Conclusions: This study revealed the importance of frequent yoga practice in reducing perceived stress and improving mindfulness traits. These findings may serve as a basis for implementing preventive actions in women experiencing high levels of everyday stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stress has been linked to worsening symptoms and increased disease activity in patients with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Life-events are individual stress points, and there is conflicting evidence regarding their role in SLE activity and disease perception. Methods: Adult SLE patients were recruited for the study. Clinical and laboratory features of SLE were recorded, and previous diagnosis of anxiety or depression were retrieved from patients' electronic charts. Flares were defined by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity (SLEDAI) flare Index, and flares during the previous year were documented. During a routine visit, they completed validated Portuguese translations of the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Life Experience Survey (LES) for the previous year. Results: A total of 47 female SLE patients were recruited. Ten patients (21.3%) had experienced recent flares. Patients with recent flares reported fewer life events, with lower positive, negative, and total weightings sums compared to those without recent flares. Although 42.2% of patients perceived pathological levels of stress in the previous month, 48.9% had anxiety symptoms, and 34% were at high risk for an anxiety disorder, these psychometric measures did not differ significantly between the recent flare and no-flare groups. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of pathological levels of stress among SLE patients. SLE patients with recent flares report less psychological impact from life events, both positive and negative, independent of other psychological or pharmacological factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjective: Mental health of college students is a matter of concern, and counseling centers have experienced a surge in demand and strain on capacity to provide services. This study explored the efficacy of a novel, nature-informed stress management curriculum entitled The Ecology of Resilience delivered via a for-credit general education course. The goals were a more favorable perception of stress and increased sense of bouncing back from stress (resilience). Participants: One hundred fifty-seven junior- and senior-level undergraduates participated in a project spanning three semesters from January 2022 to April 2023. Methods: The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) were employed in a pretest/post-test arrangement. Results: PSS scores decreased significantly and BRS scores increased significantly for students enrolled in the course versus a control group. Conclusions: Curricula like the Ecology of Resilience, presented within the contexts of for-credit academic courses, are viable options for addressing student mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is currently a heightened need for perinatal medical services to timely recognize and accurately meet the psychological needs of pregnant women. Psychological disturbances a mother experiences during pregnancy, such as depression and anxiety, can be later associated with inadequate maternal capacity for antenatal care for herself and the baby, and may lead to subsequent mental health problems later in the mother's life. Routine prenatal assessment could significantly benefit from being proactively enriched with early prevention mental health screening tools to assess, appropriately manage vulnerable populations, and subsequently implement preventive actions. Methods: 178 pregnant women, under routine prenatal medical assessment, were measured regarding depressive symptomatology and stress, through the use of two validated psychometric tools (the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14)). Results: Heightened perceived stress and depressive symptomatology levels were associated with younger maternal age, an obstetrical record of more than one births and a history of abortion. Results additionally showed a connection between the requirement for a psychiatric referral—based on the levels of symptomatology recorded through the psychometric assessment and a clinical interview—and currently running the earlier stages (weeks) of pregnancy. Conclusion: Our revised proposed prenatal screening protocol for depression and stress suggests an amplified follow-up assessment including all pregnant women scoring high in both depression and in perceived stress, regardless of previous history of prenatal depression or of suicidality, to detect earlier or less manifest expressions of distress during pregnancy, in vulnerable perinatal populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last ten years, positive emotion in foreign language learning has been increasingly investigated in many research areas, including Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE). FLE has been defined as a positive emotion felt when an individual's psychological needs are met. This study investigates the relationship between perceived levels of Subjective Well-Being (SWB) and Stress (PS), as well as the degree of multilingualism (DM) and their effect on FLE when learning an additional language. The data were collected from 68 students (35 trilingual and 33 bilingual) who were learning an additional language (Italian or French). Statistical analyses showed that SWB and PS were unrelated. The strongest predictors of the FLE was SWB, with PS having a small but significant effect. Trilingual subjects were found to have significantly more FLE, whereas there was no statistically significant difference for SWB and PS. The findings are discussed in light of previous research on FLE, which confirms that SWB and DM, as well as a low level of stress, play an important role in enjoying learning a new language. The implication of this study is discussed both for language teaching and language policy formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burnout, often linked to increased stress, can impact student mental health, academic success, and overall well-being. To investigate animal-assisted interventions' (specifically a canine-assisted intervention; CAI) impact on student stress and burnout, a free CAI event was held on campus prior to final exams (n = 41). Self-selecting participants completed the School Burnout Inventory (SBI; Salmela-Aro et al. 2009) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; Cohen, Kamarch, and Mermelstein 1983) before and after the event. Results showed a reduction in self-reported levels of stress and burnout from before to after the CAI. The impact of self-determined duration of attendance showed that those who attended the CAI for longer had a greater reduction in stress than did those who spent less time at the event. The findings suggest that CAI events can reduce perceived student burnout, alongside stress, strengthening arguments for CAIs utilisation in academic settings, and considers how the duration of CAI engagement may benefit different students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Examine psychometric properties of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) in a sample of nurses. Method: In a sample of day shift nurses (N = 289), a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), convergent and discriminant validity analyses, and a test–retest reliability analysis were performed. Results: CFA showed that a two-factor model provided the best fit. The ISI had moderate to poor convergent validity with sleep diary parameters, and moderate convergent validity with the Sleep Condition Indicator (r = -.66), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (r =.66), and PROMIS Sleep-Related Impairment measure (r =.67). The ISI demonstrated good discriminant validity with the measures Composite Scale of Morningness (r = −.27), Nightmares Disorder Index (r =.25), PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (sleep items removed; r =.32), and Perceived Stress Scale (r =.43). The ISI had weaker discriminant validity with the PHQ-9 (r =.69) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (r =.51). The ISI demonstrated a good test–retest reliability (ICCs =.74–.88). Conclusions: The ISI is a psychometrically strong measure for the assessment of insomnia severity in day shift nurses. Overlap with psychological symptoms, primarily anxiety and depression, suggests caution while interpreting these constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on ecological systems theory and the genetic and environmental research paradigm, the current study explored the effect of school interpersonal relationship quality (peer and teacher-student) on adolescent depression and the role of perceived stress and the OXTR gene. Based on the statistical power of previous G*E interaction studies, A follow-up survey was conducted with 603 Chinese adolescents (average age = 14.76 ± 0.72 years at the time of the initial measurement; range: 13 to 15) using a questionnaire method (Short Form of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, The Chinese version of Perceived Stress Scale, short form of Friendship Quality Questionnaire and Teacher-student Relationship) and DNA typing technique. The study found that (1) school interpersonal relationship quality influenced adolescent depression; (2) perceived stress fully mediated the relationship between school interpersonal relationship quality and adolescent depression; (3) the OXTR gene rs2254298 and rs53576 polymorphisms moderated both the direct pathway and the second half of the indirect pathway. Specifically, individuals carrying the rs2254298 polymorphism A/G genotype and the rs53576 polymorphism A genotype exhibited a significantly enhanced effect of interpersonal relationship quality and perceived stress on adolescent depression, supporting the differential susceptibility model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate sleep quality and perceived stress levels in Chinese patients with active minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (MiRAS) lesions, as well as to investigate the potential relationship between sleep quality and perceived stress levels and the risk of MiRAS episodes. Methods: The study population consisted of individuals recruited from a Chinese cohort who underwent medical and oral examinations from March 2022 to August 2023. All participants completed a set of uniform anonymous questionnaires, which included sociodemographic characteristics, clinical information, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). Statistical analysis was conducted using the independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson's chi-square test and Pearson's correlation analysis. After adjusting for potential confounders (age, gender, marital status, and education level), multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations of sleep quality and perceived stress levels with the risk of MiRAS episodes. Additionally, restricted cubic spline curves were constructed to visualize these correlations. Results: A total of 329 eligible volunteers participated in the study, comprising 122 Chinese MiRAS patients and 207 healthy controls without MiRAS. Compared to healthy participants, MiRAS patients exhibited significantly higher PSQI and ISI scores (p = 0.000). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding PSS-14 scores or its two subscales (p > 0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that lower sleep quality was significantly associated with an increased risk of MiRAS episodes (p = 0.000), whereas no statistically significant relationship was found between perceived stress levels and the risk of MiRAS episodes (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Maintaining a regular bedtime and improving sleep quality may contribute to reducing the incidence and recurrence of MiRAS, while psychological intervention may be ineffective for MiRAS patients. Plain Language Summary: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most prevalent oral mucosal diseases, affecting approximately 20% of the general population, with prevalence rates ranging from 0.5% to 68% across different countries. MiRAS is classified as the most common type of RAS, accounting for about 85% of RAS patients. Previous studies have identified several potential predisposing factors, including trauma, psychological disorders, genetic susceptibility, immune dysregulation, hormonal imbalance, and microbial flora disorders. However, the definitive etiology of RAS remains unknown to date. This study assessed sleep quality and perceived stress levels in Chinese patients with active MiRAS lesions using standardized measures, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). The results indicated that MiRAS patients had significantly higher PSQI and ISI scores compared to healthy controls, regardless of age, gender, marital status, or education level. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups concerning PSS-14 scores and its subscales. Furthermore, better sleep quality was found to be moderately associated with a reduced risk of MiRAS episodes, while perceived stress levels did not show a significant relationship with the risk. Findings from this study suggest that maintaining proper bedtime routines and improving sleep quality may help reduce both the incidence and recurrence rates of MiRAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to examine the meta-analytic reliability generalization of the 14, 10, and 8-item forms of the Perceived Stress Scale, which was developed by Cohen, Kamarck and Mermelstein in 1983 and translated into Turkish by different researchers (Erci, 2006; Yerlikaya & İnanç, 2007; Eskin et al. 2013, etc.) between 2006 and 2013, for the theses produced in Türkiye. For this purpose, how different moderator variables affect the reliability coefficients and publication bias were also examined. A total of 81 Cronbach Alpha coefficients from 78 studies, selected in accordance with the established criteria, were included in the meta-analysis. Reliability generalization was applied in the data analysis. The analyses were conducted using the random effects model with coefficient values converted through the Bonett method. In the study, the effect size value was found to be .82 (95% CI: .80, .83), and it was concluded that the sample type (α= .81) and the study area (α= .81) moderator variables had a statistically significant effect on the reliability estimation in terms of heterogeneity of effect sizes. This revealed that these two moderator variables affected the estimations of the reliability coefficients. In addition, it has been observed that other moderator variables such as age, gender, and the number of items in the scale are not sources of heterogeneity and have no effect on reliability estimation. From this, it was deduced that the scale works well enough to generalize to different contexts with different item numbers. Finally, according to the results of the analysis for the determination of publication bias, it was seen that there was no publication bias in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Fides et Ratio is the property of Universidad La Salle de Bolivia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Young adults are prone to stress due to various life events. Managing these stressors can be difficult for them, making them cope with these through behavioral changes, the most common being unhealthy and irregular eating habits with a lack of physical activities. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to find the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and perceived stress among young adults. Any gender differences are also evaluated. Materials and Methods: Out of the 300 1st year medical students enrolled, height and weight for BMI and perceived stress scale-10 (PSS-10) scores were obtained for 228 participants as a one-time reading for every participant. Then, the relationship between these values of BMI and PSS was evaluated. Results: Out of the analyzed participants, 46.1% were in the normal BMI category, with 15.8% being underweight. Out of the 38.1% of participants with an above-normal BMI, 2/3rd were found to be obese. Moderate stress was seen in 75% of participants. We found a weak negative correlation between BMI and stress (significant at 0.05). Conclusion: The majority of the youth experience stress at moderate level, which is concerning for society as they indulge in stress eating to cope but end up being obese and more prone to metabolic diseases, thus entering a vicious cycle of obesity, disease, and stress. Hence, activities such as exercise, meditation, and others must be included in daily life to balance physical and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stress was the major psychological problem affecting physical and mental health among undergraduate students. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of a meditation training program (MTP) for stress reduction measured by biofeedback (BB) machine. Material and Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study conducted in Faculty of Dentistry, Thammasat University, Thailand. The study period was between August and December 2023. Participants were first-year Dentistry students. MTP was concentration meditation (Anapana meditation). Stress measurement was evaluated by using Thai version of Perceived Stress Scale (T-PSS-10) performed at one week before study, 14 and 18 weeks. Stress evaluation by biofeedback machine using skin conductance (SC), and skin temperature (ST) were performed at one week before the study, and at week 4, 8, 14, and 18. Data from T-PSS-10 and SC/ST biofeedback were collected and analyzed. Results: Twenty-eight subjects were recruited. The mean age of participant was 18.4 years old. Two-third (19/28) were female. Stress reduction from MTP was detected in the fourth and eighth weeks by STBB and SCBB, respectively. T-PSS-10 scores before MTP, 14, and 18 weeks were 17.7±5.4, 9.8±3.1, and 8.4±3.1 with statistical significance. Conclusion: Meditation training program could reduce stress measured by SC/ST biofeedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing population of older adults in the U.S. is experiencing increased food insecurity and stress, which are associated with nocturnal sleep quality and consequently excessive daytime sleepiness. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between food insecurity and perceived stress on daytime sleepiness in older adults aged 60 and older living in New York City. This cross-sectional, quantitative study utilized the US Household Food Security Survey Module six-item questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Sleepiness Total to collect data. Participants completed an online survey via Qualtrics. Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the association between demographic variables and food insecurity, perceived stress, and daytime sleepiness outcomes. Three hundred seventy-eight (378) older adults participated in this study. Food insecurity was associated with age (p = 0.045), education (p = 0.022), and daytime sleepiness (p < 0.001). On average, participants with a BMI of over 30 had an increased daytime sleepiness total relative to a BMI < 25 (p = 0.029), and those with two to three health conditions and those with more than four health conditions had higher daytime sleepiness totals relative to those with zero to one condition (p = 0.007 and 0.007, respectively). Participants who had moderate and high stress, regardless of food security status, had higher daytime sleepiness totals than those with low stress (food secure; p = 0.002; food insecure; p < 0.001). Multifaceted interventions are needed to alleviate food insecurity, manage stress, and reduce excessive daytime sleepiness among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Occupational stress is increasing globally and affecting all workplaces and countries' health professionals. Despite its significant impact on healthcare delivery, limited studies have actually compared the prevalence, causes, effects, and coping strategies of stress among nurses working in hospitals with variation in capacity and function in Ghana. We, therefore, examined and compared the prevalence, causes, effects and coping strategies of occupational stress among nurses working in a secondary care and tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methods: We conducted a health facility-based cross-sectional study among 248 nurses from two hospitals (Volta Regional Hospital [VRH] and Ho Teaching Hospital [HTH]). The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Weiman Occupational Stress Scale (WOSS) were used to measure the nurses' stress levels and causes of occupational stress respectively. A self-reported checklist was used to measure both the effects of stress and strategies. Descriptive analyses and t-tests were performed, and statistical significance was measured at the 0.05 level. Results: The majority of nurses 77.8% experienced a moderate level of perceived stress. The total individual mean scores of the nurses from the two hospitals (VRH = 3.02 and HTH = 3.09) were 34% and 37% respectively higher than the established WOSS individual average of 2.25. Nursing difficult patients (t=-1.1196, p = 0.037), Unfriendly relationships with superiors, colleagues, and subordinates (t=-2.3333, p = 0.020), working with incompetent staff (t=-1.3129, p = 0.037) were the statistically significant stressors among nurses in the HTH. Whereas, long work hours (t = 2.0841, p = 0.038) and needle-stick injuries (t = 2.6669, p = 0.008) were the statistically significant stressors among nurses from the VRH. Headache (VRH = 73.8% and HTH = 97.9%), Fatigue (VRH = 68.9% and HTH = 83.5%), Frustration VRH = 50.5% and HTH = 68.3%) and Lack of Concentration (VRH = 81.6% and HTH = 80.0%) were most common effects of occupational stress reported. Conclusion: The majority of nurses reported moderate levels of stress, with the two institutions' stressors differing. Key causes of stress were needle stick injuries, long hours, dealing with challenging patients and strained interpersonal relationships. Common side effects were headaches, exhaustion, irritability, and trouble focusing. To accelerate progress towards achieving the sustainable development goal (SDG) 3.4 of promoting mental health and well-being by 2030, the 2012 Mental Health Act of Ghana and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, should fully and effectively be implemented in health facilities across the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern world, psychological well-being and disease prevention have become important aspects of human health and life. This paper describes a study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of dance therapy, Taoist dance, and jazz-funk in reducing stress and anxiety in Chinese adults. It enrolled 432 volunteers living in Beijing and used psychometric tools such as the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Perceived Stress Scale. The methodology involved a comparative analysis of changes in perceived stress and anxiety among participants attending different dance programs over one year. The results confirmed the effectiveness of all three types of dance interventions compared to the control group. However, dance therapy showed the most significant reduction in stress levels. These findings have practical implications for the implementation of dance methods in health support and stress management programs. This paper discusses the prospect of integrating dance therapy into the healthcare system taking into account its positive effect on reducing anxiety and stress. It may attract the attention of various specialists and researchers in psychology, medicine, and politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Stress is an inherent part of the human experience, especially among medical students, due to academic pursuits and social commitments. The present study explores the intricate relationship of cognition with perceived stress levels, lung function, and Body Mass Index (BMI) in exercising and non exercising medical students. Aim: To find out and compare the levels of stress, cognition, BMI, and lung function in exercising and non exercising medical students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Physiology, JSS Medical College, Constituent College of JSSAHER, Mysuru, Karnataka, India over a span of two months from February 2021 to April 2021. It included 110 participants categorised into an exercising group and a non exercising group. Stress and cognition were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS-10) and the Modified Mini-mental State Examination (3MS), respectively. The BMI was calculated using Quetelet's index. Pulmonary function was measured using a computerised spirometer. Associations were determined using a Student's t-test, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean PSS-10 score for exercising students (11.36±3.67) was significantly lower compared to non exercising students (20.71±4.61). The 3MS score of exercisers (97.33±1.73) was significantly higher compared to nonexercisers (94.02±1.40). The mean values of pulmonary functions namely Forced Expiratory Volume 1 (FEV1) (3.43±0.71 L), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (3.88±0.76 L), and FEV1/FVC (87.94±2.73%) in exercisers, were significantly better than the values for non-exercisers: FEV1 (3.00±0.67 L), FVC (3.48±0.71 L), and FEV1/FVC (85.86±2.75%). The mean BMI of exercisers (21.45±1.43 kg/m2) was significantly lower than that of nonexercisers (23.03±1.35 kg/m2). Conclusion: Participants who exercise regularly have better cognition, lower stress levels, a healthier BMI, and better lung function than their non exercising counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the mediator roles of cognitive attentional syndrome and metacognitions about online gaming on the relationship between perceived stress and gaming disorder. A total of 1459 participants (Mage = 23.97; SD = 5.00, from 18 to 54) were recruited through social media and asked to fill out the Perceived Stress Scale, Cognitive Attentional Syndrome 1 Scale, Metacognitions about Online Gaming Scale, and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale--Short Form. Path analysis was carried out via AMOS 24 to test the proposed model. The findings revealed that there was a significant indirect effect of perceived stress on gaming disorder through negative metacognitions about online gaming, through cognitive attentional syndrome and positive metacognitions about online gaming, and through cognitive attentional syndrome and negative metacognitions about online gaming. In addition, results were discussed while taking into account the underlying mechanisms of metacognitive processes for addictive behaviors and limitations, suggestions for future studies, and clinical implications were considered. In conclusion, this study contributed to the literature with its findings that fit the theoretical model of The Self-Regulatory Executive Function concerning gaming disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to detect the mediating role of mindfulness in the relationship between psychological dependence on smoking and perceived stress levels. Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Psychological Dependence to Smoking Scale, and Perceived Stress Level Scale were applied. To evaluate the indirect effects, regression analysis and the Sobel Z test were used. Of the 68 female (45%) and 83 male (55%) participants, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence score (5.75 ± 2.51) was higher in past experiences of quitting for less than 1 month vs. longer quitting periods (p = .02). The mindfulness level was found to be negatively correlated with the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence score (p = .216; r = -.101), perceived stress score (p < .001; r = -.296), and psychological dependence scores (p = .001; r = -.271). Regression analysis revealed that the perceived stress and mindfulness levels were predictors on psychological dependence (B = 0.204; t = 2.548; p = .012, and B = -0.236; t = -3.525; p = .005, respectively). The results of the Sobel test evaluating the mediator role of mindfulness in the relationship between perceived stress and psychological dependence were significant (Z value = 2.337, p = .019). These results highlight the role of mindfulness in smokers toward reducing associated perceived stress with psychological dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aims to determine the concerns and stress levels of individuals over the age of 65 towards COVID-19. Material and Method: The data of this sectional study was collected both through an online survey and face-to-face between February 15 and March 13, 2022. Seven hundred and sixty nine surveys that met the criteria for data quality were included in the study. Both a questionnaire prepared by the researchers to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of older people and their concerns state during COVID-19 and the Perceived Stress Scale-10 were used. Statistical analysis of the results obtained in the study was carried out with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for IBM 25 package program. Results: 49.9% of the participants were diagnosed with COVID-19. Additionally, 80.5% of the participants reported experiencing changes in their living circumstances as a result of the pandemic, while 88.2% reported feeling anxious during this period. The participants were seen to have an average score of 29.82±2.58 on the perceived stress scale. A statistically significant difference was seen in the average score of the perceived stress scale when comparing individuals based on their marital status, income, place of residence, presence of chronic condition (p <0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed that the participants’ reported stress level was moderate, with a significant number of persons experiencing anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: High stress levels can be problematic for teachers and indirectly affect students. Resilience may be a protective factor for overcoming stress. Knowledge about the prevalence and correlates of high stress and low resilience will provide information about the extent of the problem among teachers in Canada. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study among teachers in Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. Participants self-subscribed to the Wellness4Teachers supportive text messaging program and completed the online survey on enrollment. Baseline data collection occurred from 1 September 2022 to 30 August 2023. Resilience and stress were, respectively, assessed using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The data were analyzed with SPSS version 28 using chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 1912 teachers subscribed to the Wellness4Teachers program, and 810 completed the baseline survey, yielding a response rate of 42.40%. Most of the participants, 87.8%, were female, and 12.2% were aged 18 to 61 and above. The prevalence of low resilience was 40.1%, and high stress had a prevalence of 26.3%. After controlling for all the other variables in the logistic regression model, participants with low resilience were 3.10 times more likely to experience high-stress symptoms than those with normal to high resilience (OR = 3.10; 95% CI: 2.18–4.41). Conversely, participants who reported high stress were 3.13 times more likely to have low resilience than those with low to moderate stress (OR = 3.13; 95% CI: 2.20–4.44). Additionally, junior and senior high school teachers were, respectively, 2.30 times (OR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.25–4.23) and 2.12 times (OR = 2,12; 95% CI: 1.08–4.18) more likely to have low resilience compared to elementary school teachers. Conclusions: Our study findings suggest a high prevalence of stress and low resilience among teachers in the three Canadian provinces. Administrators, policymakers in the educational field, school boards, and governments should integrate stress management and resilience-building strategies into teachers' training and continuing professional development programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused unexpected and unprecedented disruptions worldwide. University students, especially international students, underwent unique challenges during this volatile era. This secondary quantitative data analysis study aimed to investigate the experiences, stress, adjustment, and ways of coping of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from 112 international university students and 112 domestic American university students were included in the statistical analyses. The differences in Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ), Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WAYS), COVID-19-related questionnaire, and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) between international and domestic students were analyzed using independent samples t-tests. Multiple regression models predicting PSS by SACQ, WAYS, and COVID-19-related questionnaire subscales were estimated for international and domestic students separately. The results showed that international students and American students did not report significant differences in their university adjustment, usage of coping strategy, and perceived stress level during the peak of the pandemic. Additionally, American students reported more factors impacting their perceived stress than international students. Implications of the findings as well as limitations and future directions were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Treatment with a synbiotic was beneficial for the management of subjects with ADHD and/or BPD and high levels of irritability. • The synbiotic also improved emotional symptoms, emotional dysregulation, inattention, functioning and perceived stress levels. • Lower baseline RANK-L levels were associated with a higher response rate in the synbiotic group. • Higher baseline IL-17A levels were associated with a higher improvement in emotional dysregulation in the placebo group. • The synbiotic was safe and well tolerated. Irritability worsens prognosis and increases mortality in individuals with Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and/or Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). However, treatment options are still insufficient. The aim of this randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study was to investigate the superiority of a synbiotic over placebo in the management of adults with ADHD and/or BPD and high levels of irritability. The study was conducted between February 2019 and October 2020 at three European clinical centers located in Hungary, Spain and Germany. Included were patients aged 18–65 years old diagnosed with ADHD and/or BPD and high levels of irritability (i.e., an Affectivity Reactivity Index (ARI-S) ≥ 5, plus a Clinical Global Impression-Severity Scale (CGI-S) score ≥ 4). Subjects were randomized 1(synbiotic):1(placebo); the agent was administered each day, for 10 consecutive weeks. The primary outcome measure was end-of-treatment response (i.e., a reduction ≥ 30 % in the ARI-S total score compared to baseline, plus a Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) total score of < 3 (very much, or much improved) at week 10). Between-treatment differences in secondary outcomes, as well as safety were also investigated. Of the 231 included participants, 180 (90:90) were randomized and included in the intention-to-treat-analyses. Of these, 117 (65 %) were females, the mean age was 38 years, ADHD was diagnosed in 113 (63 %), BPD in 44 (24 %), both in 23 (13 %). The synbiotic was well tolerated. At week 10, patients allocated to the synbiotic experienced a significantly higher response rate compared to those allocated to placebo (OR: 0.2, 95 % CI:0.1 to 0.7; P = 0.01). These findings suggest that that (add-on) treatment with a synbiotic may be associated with a clinically meaningful improvement in irritability in, at least, a subgroup of adults with ADHD and/or BPD. A superiority of the synbiotic over placebo in the management of emotional dysregulation (−3.6, 95 % CI:-6.8 to −0.3; P = 0.03), emotional symptoms (−0.6, 95 % CI:-1.2 to −0.05; P = 0.03), inattention (−1.8, 95 % CI: −3.2 to −0.4; P = 0.01), functioning (−2.7, 95 % CI: −5.2 to −0.2; P = 0.03) and perceived stress levels (−0.6, 95 % CI: −1.2 to −0.05; P = 0.03) was also suggested. Higher baseline RANK-L protein levels were associated with a significantly lower response rate, but only in the synbiotic group (OR: 0.1, 95 % CI: −4.3 to – 0.3, P = 0.02). In the placebo group, higher IL-17A levels at baseline were significantly associated with a higher improvement in in particular, emotional dysregulation (P = 0.04), opening a door for new (targeted) drug intervention. However, larger prospective studies are warranted to confirm the findings. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03495375. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 120,000 children in the United States are evaluated in the emergency department annually due to burn injuries. Studies have consistently documented that pediatric burns are among the most stressful events for caregivers, resulting in a wide range of emotions, including guilt, anxiety, grief, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, as well as positive psychological changes, a phenomenon known as posttraumatic growth. The present pilot study aimed to explore the prevalence of elevated perceived stress as well as posttraumatic growth among caregivers of pediatric burn patients receiving outpatient burn care and using an mHealth burn platform to administer burn treatment. Our results demonstrated that, on average, caregivers endorsed similar or lower levels of perceived stress over the past 30 days compared to the general population of 30–44-year-old adults and only a third of caregivers reported elevated levels of perceived stress in the past 30 days. However, during the treatment phase, two-thirds of caregivers reported elevated levels of stress. Further, approximately half of the caregiver sample reported moderate to high levels of posttraumatic growth following their child's burn injury. This pilot study clarifies the level of the perceived stress that caregivers of burn-injured children experience, particularly during the treatment phase when they are responsible for their children's outpatient burn care (e.g., dressing changes). Additionally, the results shed light on the high prevalence of moderate to high posttraumatic growth in caregivers, with a prevalence rate similar to other trauma survivors. • Majority of caregivers reported elevated perceived stress during treatment phase • Higher levels of perceived stress during treatment than over past 30 days • Caregiver levels of posttraumatic growth similar to other trauma survivors • Caregivers could benefit from mental health resources with surgical burn care [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic stress has been linked to changes in taste or odor perception. People with high levels of perceived chronic stress consume more fatty foods. However, few studies have investigated whether perceived chronic stress is associated with altered fat perception. High‐stress (N = 33) and low‐stress (N = 31) participants were pre‐screened using the simplified Chinese version of the Perceived Stress Scale (SCPSS). Oral and olfactory discrimination of fat between milk samples with different fat contents (0%, 2%, and 3.5%) were assessed using the A‐Not A with reminder task (A‐Not AR). Perceived creaminess, fattiness, and liking for fat taste/flavor were measured using Likert scales. Dairy intake was measured using the food frequency scales and the 24‐hour food recall questionnaires. No significant difference in fat discrimination performance was found between the high‐ and low‐stress groups. Compared with the low‐stress group, the high‐stress group showed reduced pleasantness ratings for the whole milk fat flavor and taste (with nose clips). In addition, the high‐stress group ate less vegetables and fruits than the low‐stress group. For people with high levels of perceived stress, the observed altered fat sensory preference may contribute to the consumption or choice of certain foods. Practical Applications: The perception of fat contributes to food consumption. The current results suggest that a high level of perceived stress is associated with decreased hedonic food‐related fat sensory perception, which contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying stress‐related eating behavior and may help future research on dietary or psychological interventions for stressed populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personal self‐esteem (PSE) has been well recognized as a buffer against stress; however, the effects of other types of self‐esteem, such as relational self‐esteem (RSE) and collective self‐esteem (CSE), on stress have not been adequately explored. This study investigated the roles of PSE, RSE, and CSE in reducing stress response. The Rosenberg, Relational, and Collective Self‐Esteem Scales were adopted to assess PSE, RSE, and CSE, respectively. Participants underwent an acute social stress paradigm, and their acute stress response was assessed using subjective stress reports and salivary cortisol levels. Chronic stress level was estimated using the Perceived Stress Scale and hair cortisol concentration. The results showed that PSE was negatively correlated with salivary cortisol response during acute social stress; however, no significant associations were found between any type of self‐esteem and subjective stress reports. For chronic stress, all types of self‐esteem were negatively associated with perceived stress level, but not with hair cortisol concentration. Further hierarchical regression analyses suggested that only PSE negatively predicted acute salivary cortisol response and perceived stress level. Overall, the findings suggest the essential role of PSE in predicting acute salivary cortisol responses and perceived stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prolonged periods of stress may lead to negative health consequences. AlphaWave®l-Theanine was safe and efficacious during an acute stress challenge. However, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials investigating the longer term effects of l-theanine supplementation on stress are warranted. Methods: Thirty healthy adults (18–65 years) with moderate stress were randomized to AlphaWave®l-Theanine (400 mg l-theanine/day) or placebo (n = 15/group) for 28 days. Stress was assessed by salivary cortisol, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21; sleep was assessed by the Healthy People Sleep Quality Index and actigraphy device; cognition was assessed by Computerized Mental Performance Assessment System; mood was assessed by Profile of Mood States. All outcomes were measured at baseline, Days 14 and 28. Safety included vital signs, clinical chemistry, haematology and adverse events (AEs). Results: All AEs were resolved by the end of the study period or upon subsequent follow up, and out of range laboratory values and changes in vital signs were deemed not clinically relevant following AlphaWave®l-Theanine supplementation. Participants supplemented with AlphaWave®l-Theanine had decreases of 12.92% (p = 0.051) and 17.98% (p = 0.04) in PSS scores after 14 and 28 days, respectively, while those on placebo had respective decreases of 9.74% (p = 0.061) and 17.88% (p = 0.009). There were no significant differences between groups for change in salivary cortisol. The AlphaWave®l-Theanine group demonstrated decreased time asleep after 28 days and significantly reduced light sleep after 14 and 28 days compared to placebo (p ≤ 0.040). The AlphaWave®l-Theanine group significantly improved by 21.79% and 21.33% in Stroop test correct reaction time after 14 and 28 days, respectively, while those on placebo improved after 28 days only (p = 0.005). Conclusions: AlphaWave®l-Theanine supplementation for 28 days was safe and significantly decreased perceived stress significantly decreased perceived stress and light sleep, improved sleep quality and enhanced cognitive attention in the studied population. Larger, randomized controlled trials with longer duration of AlphaWave®l-Theanine supplementation are warranted to reduce inter-individual variability and the potential placebo effect. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT05808595. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The job of loco pilots of Indian Railways is very demanding as they are responsible for operating locomotives and ensuring the safe and timely transportation of people and goods across the vast and diverse landscape of the country. So, they are prone to various mental health issues. Aim: To study anxiety, depression, and perceived stress among loco pilots of Indian Railways and to study their correlation with various work-related factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 53 loco pilots recruited by convenience sampling from three railway stations under the Kota Division of Indian Railways. Prior permission from the Institutional Ethical Committee was taken. After obtaining informed consent, loco pilots were evaluated on Hamilton scales for Anxiety and Depression and Perceived stress scale 10. Results: The mean age of participants was 32.01 ± 6.15 years. They were working for an average of 61.01 ± 19.12 hours per week. The majority of them were assistant loco pilots and were operating goods trains. 26.41%, 20.76%, and 13.20% had mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively. Likewise, 30.19% and 5.66% had mild and moderate depression, respectively. Also, 33.97%, 50.94%, and 15.09% of loco pilots had low, moderate, and high perceived stress, respectively. Age, working hours, and years of work experience did not correlate significantly with anxiety and depression scores. A significant positive correlation of perceived stress score was found with average working hours per week ( P = 0.012). Conclusion: The magnitude of psychiatric problems among loco pilots was found to be significant and hence needed to be addressed. Also, further exploration of factors contributing to these mental health issues is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People face numerous stressors in their life. Some engage in buying behavior as a way of relieving or coping with stress. Gambling and digital gaming are examples of popular past time activities that can distract from stressors and involve spending money. This survey study investigated the role of perceived stress in the relationship between in-game buying behavior and gaming problems, and the relationship between spending money on gambling and gambling problems. We base our study on prior literature on stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and the escape theory applied to buying behavior as a coping strategy. Participants were Finnish adults (N = 1530; M = 46.67; 50.33% male). Stress was measured with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Spending money on gambling and gaming and in-game buying behavior were asked using single items. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) assessed gambling problems and the Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10) measured gaming problems. Analyses utilized robust regression estimation. According to the results, perceived stress significantly moderated the association between in-game buying behavior and gaming problems and the relationship between spending money on gambling and gambling problems. Undergoing stress may influence spending on gaming and gambling activities and amplify gaming and gambling problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly impacted pharmacy students' education and well-being. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the pandemic on students' perceived stress by comparing third- and fourth-year students from the pre-pandemic Class of 2019 with mid-pandemic Class of 2021 at two public institutions. Secondary aims were to evaluate the pandemic effects on students' academic and professional development skills and practice readiness. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) scale were used to measure student well-being. Students' self-rated problem-solving, time management, and study skills were used to measure their academic and professional development; practice readiness was measured using students' self-rated confidence levels. PSS scores were significantly higher in mid-pandemic than pre-pandemic students, and the Brief COPE avoidant coping subscale differed between pre-pandemic and mid-pandemic students. No differences were found in any academic and professional development skills between the pre- and mid-pandemic students, and there were significant improvements in student confidence levels for practice readiness among the mid-pandemic students. In conclusion, the pandemic appeared to affect students' stress and avoidant coping mechanism but had variable effects on academic and professional development and practice readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled teachers to adapt to numerous changes both before and during the transition back to in-person learning, leading to reduced attention on their well-being. This study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of university teachers in Pampanga, Philippines, specifically focusing on their personal perspectives, challenges, and coping mechanisms for maintaining well-being in the New Normal. The study utilized the University of Maryland's eight dimensions of well-being and Dunn's Wheel of Wellness as models. Through purposive sampling, teachers experiencing high stress and low to moderate wellbeing were identified using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the BBC-Wellbeing Scale. Seven participants underwent in-depth interviews, with qualitative data collected, organized, and analyzed through thematic analysis. To ensure data integrity, validation was obtained from participants and experts. The findings revealed that teachers had positive perceptions of their vocational, emotional, spiritual, social, intellectual, and environmental well-being, but negative perceptions of their financial and physical well-being. External challenges were noted in vocational and environmental aspects, while other dimensions faced internal challenges. Interestingly, teachers used problem-solving coping mechanisms for all well-being challenges except emotional well-being. Challenges were categorized into five areas for improvement: Career Development, Financial Literacy, Positive Emotions, Meaningful Connections, and Physical Health and Safety. These areas formed the basis for proposed Psychosocial Support Services for teachers. The study's results and findings offer valuable insights for the practice of Guidance and Counseling for school professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress is a common negative emotion in students. Given the stress associated with doctoral studies, it is crucial to examine the influence of stress on well-being, program satisfaction, and retention in doctoral programs. This study examined stress-related issues and their relationships with intention to quit in a sample of 2,486 students enrolled in doctoral programs representing 38 disciplines. Participants completed a web-based questionnaire including sociodemographic and self-report measures assessing perceived stress, emotional, social, and psychological well-being, as well as program satisfaction and intention to quit. We tested three hypotheses based on Lazarus and Folkman's transactional theory of stress and emotions and Núñez-Regueiro's stress process model of school dropout. The results of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) supported the hypotheses of the study and showed that perceived stress is negatively associated with emotional, social, and psychological well-being. The most significant finding from this study is that perceived stress, directly and indirectly contributes to lower program satisfaction in doctoral students and a stronger intention to quit. These study findings underscore the need for departments to actively support students in completing their dissertations by establishing explicit expectation norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Challenges and threats to global security and the growing demands of today's society lead to significantly increased exposure to stress. Stress can negatively affect numerous physiological processes, including metabolic changes. An unhealthy lifestyle might intensify this disruption. The aim of the systematic review was to establish the effect of psychological stress on metabolic and anthropometric factors in healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines; and the risk of bias (ROB) assessment was based on the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). A literature search of the MEDLINE/PubMed database was conducted using specific search terms. Results: We identified 32 articles meeting the inclusion criteria for the review with the different experimental designs and aims. Most of the papers were at high ROB. The included studies were conducted in groups of adults and children/teenagers. The most-often-applied tool to measure stress severity was the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Twenty-two studies analyzed the connection between stress and body composition, and bioimpedance analysis (BIA) was the most often used method. For biological parameters, the most frequently analyzed was cortisol (n = 9). The other examined factors included glucose, insulin, parameters related to food intake regulation, carbohydrates, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The included studies were incompliance in relation to the assessment method and type of assessed biological fluids. Conclusions: The vast majority of studies do not support the effect of chronic distress on anthropometric measurements and biological markers levels. However, many of them suggest adverse, synergistic effects of unhealthy lifestyle patterns and the stress on the examined variables. Further experiments should implement a similar and repeatable methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In an online survey of Lithuanian adults (n = 1140) aged 18 to 64 years, we sought to better understand the factors influencing the structure of physical activity (PA). We hypothesised that the PA paradox (i.e. the benefits of PA will be much greater during leisure-time than work-related or household moderate to vigorous PA) occurs more subjectively for psychological well-being indicators, than physiological well-being indicators, and should not depend on age or gender. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed as to potential participants through the Facebook social networking website within the period May 2021 to December 2021. PA was assessed using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Mood responses were assessed using the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS-LTU). Emotional intelligence was assessed using the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSREIT). Perceived stress was assessed using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Descriptive analysis, a two-way analysis of variance, and linear regression analysis were used to interpret the data. Results: The results revealed that a PA paradox occurred in women and men in terms of health, happiness, vigour and perceived stress, and only in women according to morbidity and overeating. According to the regression analysis, women's and men's subjective health (β = 0.135; p < 0.001), happiness (β = 0.084; p = 0.018) and vigour (β = 0.169; p < 0.001) were significantly positively, and perceived stress (β = -0.088; p = 0.009) negatively correlated (regardless of age) only with leisure-time moderate to vigorous PA. 'Healthy', i.e. the amount of leisure-time PA in men decreases with age, while it does not change in women. Conclusions: We believe that this study has expanded a clearer understanding of the PA paradox and its possible application to improving the health of individuals of different age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a serious neurodegenerative disease that brings great stress to the physical and mental health of patients. At the same time, long-term treatment will also bring great economic losses and social burden to the family and society, especially after COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to analyze the current status of stress perception and anxiety in patients with PD and explore the influencing factors after the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study used the convenient sampling method to select the research objects of patients with PD who were outpatients or inpatients in a general public hospital in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and the survey time was from February 2023 to March 2023. The measurements included the General information questionnaire, The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and The Self Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). SPSS 21.0 software was used for data statistical analysis. Result: 394 out of 420 patients with PD completed the questionnaire. The stress perception score of PD was (16.41 ± 6.435) and the anxiety score was (54.77 ± 10.477). The stress perception scores of patients with PD were significantly different in gender, age, educational, occupation, nature of costs, time of sleep, quality of sleep, duration of disease, way of medical treatment and anxiety level (p < 0.05). Among them, age, duration of disease, public expenses, online remote therapy and anxiety level were the main influencing factors of stress perception in patients with PD (p < 0.05). Besides, there were significant differences in gender, educational, nature of costs, time of sleep, quality of sleep and duration of disease in anxiety among patients with PD (p < 0.05). Conclusion: After the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of stress perception and anxiety in patients with PD is high, and the influencing factors are complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe aim of this study is to assess the levels, relationships, and predictors of resilience and perceived stress among psychiatric nurses working in inpatient units. A descriptive, cross-sectional, predictive design was employed to collect data from 140 psychiatric nurses through a self-reported questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic and work-related variables, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25), and perceived stress scale (PSS-10). The total mean score of the perceived stress was 22.73 (SD = 3.54) indicating a moderate level. The total mean score of the resilience was 49.49 (SD = 15.31) indicating a low level. Resilience correlated positively with educational level and job satisfaction; and negatively with intention to leave psychiatric settings. Significant differences were found in resilience with educational level, intention to leave psychiatric settings, and job satisfaction. Three independent variables predicted resilience: educational level, ward/unit, and job satisfaction; and only one variable (intention to leave psychiatric settings) predicted the perceived stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-year longitudinal study examining the association between intrinsic motivation, academic demands, and stress in collegiate athletes uses a mixed-methods design that pairs quantitative data from biannual surveys with qualitative responses in annual semi-structured interviews. Participants: A stratified random sample of 200 collegiate athletes from five universities was chosen based on year in school, sport, and gender to be as diverse as a sample of interest groups. Quantitative measures consisted of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), Academic Demands Questionnaire (ADQ), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Researchers found that stress levels were much lower in athletes who demonstrated high motivation despite increased academic demands. The institutional review boards approved the study, which complies with the specifications of ethical considerations, including informed consent and confidentiality. The results relate to targeted interventions designed to assist athletes in coping with academic demands and restoring intrinsic motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between psychological aspects (emotional regulation, self-control, mood states, and perceived stress) and components of run-up variability in horizontal jumps and to conduct comparisons based on sex, events (long jump and triple jump), and contextual situations (training versus competition). Methods: A total of 10 elite-level athletes (five males and five females) with a mean age of 27.14 (±4.25) years were recruited for the study. All participants had competed nationally or internationally and had 13.10 (±3.48) years of athletic experience. Data were collected during competitions and training sessions for 5 weeks. The participants completed the Brunel Mood Scale, Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, Brief Self-Control Scale, and Visual Analogical Scale of Perceived Stress before each session. The components of run-up variability of successful and failed attempts were measured using video analysis. Data were analyzed using a t-test, Pearson's correlation, and Cohen's d. Results: Athletes specializing in long jump and triple jump displayed similar psychological and run-up variability characteristics. However, females showed higher values for tension and depression, whereas males had higher run-up speeds and vigor. In competitions, athletes tended to have higher vigor, lower fatigue and confusion, an earlier beginning of the adjustment phase, fewer failed attempts, and higher run-up speed than during training. Emotional regulation is inversely related to depression in women during competitions, whereas higher self-control is associated with fewer failed jumps. Conclusion: Athletes competing in the long jump and the triple jump do not differ in psychological traits and run-up characteristics, which suggests that similar training strategies can be used in both events. However, different solutions should be used considering the sex of athletes, with a particular focus on utilizing emotion regulation tools to modulate depression in female jumpers. It is recommended to include training sessions that simulate competition demands, primarily to ensure the early onset of the run-up adjustment phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Children and adolescents with diabetes face challenges that can significantly impact their quality of life. Investigating psychological interventions for stress management can equip them with the skills needed to cope with type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the impact of a brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention on stress management, diabetes acceptance, psychological flexibility, and patient-doctor relationships among this population. Methods: A total of 55 children, and adolescents from Romania participated in a four-session ACT intervention for type 1 diabetes. The evaluation instruments used were the Perceived Stress Scale for Children (PSS-C), Acceptance and Action Diabetes Questionnaire (AADQ), Children's Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire (CPFQ), and Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9). Results: The participants (mean age = 14.14, SD = 2.26; 67% girls) reported lower stress levels, increased acceptance of diabetes, and greater psychological flexibility after the intervention. Additionally, the patient-doctor relationship was enhanced, potentially improving patient adherence to treatment. Positive qualitative feedback mirrored previous ACT research in the paediatric population, highlighting the beneficial role of experiential activities and metaphors when working with this target group. Discussion: This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the effectiveness of ACT in enhancing healthy coping strategies among children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the functioning and well-being of pregnant women. Negative feelings during pregnancy and the difficult pandemic situation may be the reason behind the perceived fear of childbirth, which can negatively affect the pregnant women's life satisfaction. On the other hand, some protective factors, such as self-esteem, might mediate the relationship between perceived stress and well-being in pregnant women. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE: Our study aimed to determine the relationship between perceived stress, fear of childbirth, self-esteem and life satisfaction. A total of 262 Polish pregnant women participated in this study. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Fear of Childbirth Scale (KLP II), Self-Esteem Scale (SES) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used in the study. RESULTS: The results showed that perceived stress, fear of childbirth and self-esteem acted as significant predictors of life satisfaction in the tested group of pregnant women. Additionally, fear of childbirth and self-esteem played a mediational mediational role in the relationship between perceived stress and life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: According to Diener's concept, life satisfaction is an important component of one's subjective well-being and health. Therefore, it is important to analyse factors that may mediate the impact of stress on pregnant women's life satisfaction. The present results might suggest that during pregnancy and preparation for childbirth, women should be provided with appropriate psychological care. Support from medical and psychological specialists, as well as from relatives, can reduce the level of perceived fears and strengthen personal resources. Based on the present results, we conclude that the fear of childbirth and the self-esteem of pregnant women should not be underestimated, as they are important predictors of their life satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]